Missing Link AME Zion Church action exemplifies King's message

Playing Jenga at the Missing Link AME Zion Church in Troy is David Gender, 13, of Troy.

TROY -- Most people could view Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the end of a three-day weekend, but for those at the Missing Link AME Zion Church it was a chance to exemplify the message of the legendary Civil Rights activist.

Representatives from the church, Collard City Growers, the Sanctuary for Independent Media and School One's Alternative Learning Program came together Monday for breakfast and a full day of events geared toward giving back to the community.

Pastor Willie Bacote said it was an event organized at the last minute. It started after Bacote said he was contacted by Holly Kingstrom, a social studies teacher in the Alternative Learning Program who wanted to get her kids involved in community service.

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"This is what the ministry is all about, giving hope and instilling hope in people less fortunate than others," Bacote said. "It's about wanting to continue to send a positive message in the community."

At 5 a.m. volunteers began making breakfast for those coming to the church as well as preparing meals for several deliveries throughout the day, which Bacote said has expanded to areas outside of the city limits such as the city of Albany.

Kids could be seen eating or playing games made available to them while the inauguration of President Barack Obama played on the television in the front of the room. Tables were filled with hats and gloves for the children as well as leftover toys from the church's Christmas toy drive. Bacote said people could help clean up part of the church, deliver meals to people in the community or even deliver toys to a child in need.

"With Dr. King, we focus on the speeches but what about putting the actual plan in action?" Bacote said. "It's about talking to a neighbor and really finding out what's going on. You can bring them a meal, bring them a gift. Let them know if they're not doing anything they can come down to the church."

Bacote stressed he wouldn't have been able to get the event together if it wasn't for a collaboration in North Central. Abby Lublin of Collard City Growers said an event like this is good for kids since many of them don't have school, which can be tough on parents.

"Some don't understand when school is not in session, it means kids are not getting a free breakfast or lunch," Lublin said.

Lublin also said many people focused on King's message of racial unity, but she said what he really stood up against was oppression anywhere. It could be seen in the North Central area, she said, with poverty on the rise.

"He has a message of global economic justice," said Steve Pierce, executive director of the Sanctuary for Independent Media. "It's something that ties us all together on the block."

Kingstrom, who said her own students did not make it out for the event, said she felt it would be a good idea to reach out to Bacote about some possible community service ideas. She was able to get a sense of what the North Central area was about and is interested in working with the church in the future.

"You get a sense of pride of yourself when you help others," Kingstrom said.

The idea of getting children involved in some of the work taking place at the church sounded like a great idea to Bacote, especially since it fit in with another message from King.